Combination latch and locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A COMBINATION LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR SMALL CONTAINERS HAVING A SLIDABLE DOOR OR COVER FORMING ONE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER, INCLUDING TWO OR MORE SLIDABLE LATCHING BUTTONS, EACH BUTTON HAVING SEVERAL PREDETERMINED POSITIONS AND PROVIDED WITH A LOCKING FINGER DEPENDING BEYOND THE MECHANISM TO ENGAGE A RIB FORMED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SLIDABLE COVER. THE RIB HAS A GATE POSITIONED FOR EACH BUTTON TO ALLOW PASSAGE OF THE FINGER AND MOVEMENT OF THE COVER WHEN THE BUTTONS HAVE BEEN SHIFTED TO THEIR UNLOCKED POSITIONS.

oct. 19, 1971 D, W, GLASS HAL 3,613,413

COMBINATION LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 4, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 19, 1971 DW, GLASS ETAL I COMBINATION LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 4, 1969 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Hna l Za 6/ l f L f ff f f a?? United States Patent O 3,613,413 COMBINATION LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM Dwight W. Glass and Robert L. Dauenbaugh, Rockford,

Ill., assignors to Keystone Consolidated Industries,

Inc., Peoria, Ill.

Filed Dec. 4, 1969, Ser. No. 882,027 Int. Cl. E!) 32/.00, 65/52 U.S. Cl. 70--298 9 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A combination latch and lockin mechanism for small containers having a slidable door or cover forming one side of the container, including two or more slidable latching buttons, each button having several predetermined positions and provided with a locking nger depending beyond the mechanism to engage a rib formed on the underside of the slidable cover. The rib has a gate positioned for each button to allow passage of the linger and movement of the cover when the buttons have been shifted to their unlocked positions.

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a slidable door or cover of a container, and more particularly to a combination latch and locking mechanism utilized in a small container having a slidable door or cover forming one wall of the container.

At the present time, emphasis has been heavily placed on safety features for containers, such as child-proof latches for medicine cabinets to prevent small children from obtaining access to potentially harmful or dangerous drugs or compounds stored therein. Safety latching and/or locking mechanisms are also of interest in portable containers to prevent accidental or unauthorized access thereto. The present invention provides a safety latch integral with and used to latch the slidable cover of a small portable container.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a combination latch and locking mechanism for a small container which provdes a safety laitch therefor. The container and the latch and locking mechanism are formed of suitable plastic materials with the container formed of a back, opposed sides ad opposed ends; the sides having slideways for a slidable cover or door forming the front wall of the container. The latch and locking mechanism is located at one end of the open front of the container to cooperate with the abutting edge of the sliding cover.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a combination latch and locking mechanism for a container with a sliding cover or door where the mechanism provides two or more combination buttons, each of which is slidable between several positions to provide various locking combinations. Each button includes a projecting locking `finger which cooperates with a gate formed in a rib on the interior surface of the slidable coverto release the cover for opening movement.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a combination latch and locking mechanism where diferent combinations can be achieved for a particular sliding cover. The cover has a transverse rib formed on the underside of the cover at each end thereof with the gates in the ribs arranged to provide a diierent button combination for each end. Thus, turning the cover end for end provides a dilferent etfective combination of the slidable buttons.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages 3,613,413 Patented ct. 19, 1971 ice and capabilities as will later more fully apepar and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a small container having a slidable cover and the combination latch and locking mechanism of the present invention.

IFIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the container and the latch and locking mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 but with the slide button shown in side elevation.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the container.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the combination latch and locking mechanism components for the container.

FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational View of the container and mechanism with the cover partially open.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken 'on the line 7 7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the interior surface I of the sliding cover.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of the latch and locking mechanism taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational -view of the top plate of the latch and locking mechanism.

FIG. 1l is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. l0.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a combination slide button.

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. l2.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of a slide button.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein is shown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 discloses as mall portable container 10 formed of a suitable plastic material, such as high impact polystyrene, and having a rear wall 11, end walls 12, 12 and slide walls 13, 13. As seen in FIG. 4, the upper edges of the side walls 13, 13 are undercut to form inwardly facing grooves or tracks 14, 14 to slidably receive a cover or door 15. The cover 15 has a length less than the length of the container 10 to provide a space at one end 16 to receive a combination latch and locking mechanism 17 for the cover.

The cover 15 is generally rectangular and has a pair of -nger engaging depressions 19 on the exterior surface 21, one depression located adjacent each end 22 and 22', and the interior surface 23, as shown in FIG. 8, has inwardly extending parallel side ribs 24, 24 forming outwardly extending slides 25, 25 adapted to be received in the tracks 14, 14 in the container 10, and a pair of parallel transverse ribs 26, 26 spaced slightly inwardly from the ends 22, 22 of the cover. Each rib 26 and 26 has a pair of gates 27, 27 and 27', 27 providing a combination to unlock the cover as will be later described. Also, each rib has one or more false or dummy gates 28 provided on one or each side of the gates 27 and 27.

The combination latch and locking mechanism 17, as clearly seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 9, includes la top plate 29 of a generally rectangular shape having a recessed lower edge 31 to receive the end 22 or 22 of the slidable cover 15, and parallel side ribs 32, 32 to be received in extensions of the tracks 14, 14. The plate 29 has a pair of spaced generally horizontally disposed recesses 33, 33 in the eX- terior surface 34, each recess having a T-shaped opening 35 therein. In the interior surface are provided a pair of rectangular stepped recesses 37, 37 (see FIG. 10), the lower raised surface 38 of the recess being horizontally aligned with the depending stem of the T-shaped opening 3 and formed with a series of depressions 39 at one side of the stem of opening 35, as more clearly seen in FIG. 11, for a purpose to be later described. The recesses 37, 37 are generally aligned with the exterior recesses 33, 33.

A rear plate 41 is sandwiched to the plate 29 in the modified groove extensions and these pieces are cemented or otherwise secured in place. These plates 29 and 41 are also preferably formed of a suitable plastic, such as high impact polystyrene. The rear plate 41 includes a pair of spaced recesses 42, 42 having elongated horizontally disposed openings 43, 43 therein positioned centrally of and at the bottom edge of the recesses.

A combination slide button 44, also preferably formed of a suitable plastic, such as acetal resin, is positioned within each pair of aligned recesses 37 and 42 to be horizontally movable between three combination positions. Each slide button 44 consists of a liat generally rectangular body 45, received in the recesses 37, 42, having an actuating projection 46 on the front surface 47 extending through the horizontal portion of the T-shaped slot 35 and into the recess 33 to be manually engaged by the finger of the user. The body 45 is provided at one end with a U-shaped notch 48 delining a lower lateral detent linger 4'9 terminating in a forwardly projecting end 51. The end 51 yieldably engages one of the series of depressions 39 to retain the body in a given combination position.

On the rear surface 52 of the body is a guide projection '53 which is received in the opening 43 in the recess 42; the projection being positioned centrally between the ends of the body and adjacent the lower edge thereof. Integral with and extending rearwardly and downwardly from the guide projection 53 is a locking linger 54 terminating at its lower end in a forward locking projection 55 having an upper locking surface 56 and a lower inclined camming surface 57. The projection 55 cooperates with the rib 26 or 26 of the slidable cover 15 to lock the cover in a closed position on the container 10.

As seen from FIG. 12, the linger engaging projection 46 for the slide button 44 is centrally positioned on the button base 45, and below the projection 46 are three raised numbers l51% to indicate the three combination positions of the button. The numbers 58 are so positioned that only one number will be exposed in the stem portion of the T-shaped slot 35 at any one time. Thus, the number showing in the stern portion of the slot 35 indicates the lateral position of the slide button 44. Also, raised numbers 59 may be formed on the surface 23 of the cover 15 to indicate the position of the gates 27, 27 or 277 27', and thus indicate the positions or combination of the slide buttons 44 which will allow opening of the cover 15.

In operation, with the cover 15 closed and the locking surfaces 56 of the locking fingers `54 engaging the locking surface 61 of the rib 26, the cover 15 is locked on the container as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. As seen in FIG. 8, the combination for the end 22 of the cover 15 is I on the left and III on the right. By moving the buttons 44, `44 to that combination, the latching lingers 54, 54 are aligned with the gates 27, 27 and the cover 15 can be moved to open position, or completely out of the tracks 14, 14 if so desired.

The false or dummy gates 28 are provided on one or each `side of a gate 27 or 27 to provide added security in preventing unauthorized opening of the container. The locking lingers also function as a latch if the container 10 is ulocked and the cover is pushed to its open position (FIG. 6). With the buttons shifted to positions other than the proper combination, the cover 15 can be closed and the rib 26 will engage the camming surfaces `57 and cam the `fingers 54, 54 rearwardly until the rib 26 passes the undercut surfaces 56, 56 to allow the lingers to snap behind the rib and latch the cover to locked position.

If the user wishes to change the combination for the container, the cover 15 can be removed from the tracks 14, 14 and turned 180 end for end so that the end 22 Will now engage the recess 31 of the top plate 29 to provide a combination of Il on the left and III on the right. Although this mechanism has been shown with two slide buttons 44, 44, each button having three positions, it is obvious that the mechanism could have one button or more than two buttons, each button having two or more combination positions. Also, as seen in FIG. 4, strips or patches 62 of double-faced pressure sensitive tape are adhesively attached to the exterior surface of the rear wall 11 so that the container 10 may be quickly and easily secured in place in a medicine cabinet or chest; the container 10 provided for locking away potentially harmful medicines or other substances.

Having thus disclosed our invention, we claim:

1. A combination latch and locking mechanism for a container provided with a slidable cover reciprocable in grooves in the sides of the container, comprising a transverse rib adjacent one end of theslidable cover having at least one gate therein, at least one slide button in the container movable in a direction parallel to said transverse rib and having a depending locking linger engageable with the transverse rib, said slide button being movable between a series of combination positions, one of which provides alignment of the locking linger with the gate in said transverse rib, and an actuating projection formed on said slide button, said container having an elongated transverse opening through which said actuating projection is exposed for manual actuation.

2. A combination latch and locking mechanism for a container provided with a slidable cover reciprocable in grooves in thesides of the container, comprising a transverse rib adjacent one end of the slidable cover having at least one gate therein, at least one movable slide button in the container having a depending locking linger engageable with said transverse rib, an actuating projection on said slide button, said container including a pair of plates having aligned recesses receiving said slide button, one plate having an elongated opening therein communicating with said recesses and through which said actuating projection is exposed for manual actuation, a series of depressions formed on the wall of one plate, and a laterally extending flexible detent finger on said slide button cooperating With any one of said depressions to yieldably retain said slide button in a combination position.

3. A combination latch and locking mechanism as set forth in calim 2, in which the rearward plate has an elongated horizontal opening therein generally aligned With the recesses, and a guide projection on the rear surface of said slide button received in said last mentioned opening.

4. A combination latch and locking mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said locking linger extends rearwardly and downwardly from said guide projection through said last mentioned opening to cooperate with the transverse rib on said cover.

5. A combination latch and locking mechanism for a container provided with a slidable cover reciprocable in grooves in the sides of the container, comprising a transverse rib adjacent one end of the slidable cover having a least one gate therein, and at least one movable slide button in the container having a depending locking linger engageable with said transverse rib, and an actuating projection on said slide button, said container having an elongated opening through which said actuating projection is exposed for manual actuation, said elongated opening having a T-shape with the horizontal portion of the T receiving said actuating projection to allow lateral movement of the slide button, and a plurality of raisel numbers formed on said slide button and so arranged that any one number is exposed in the stem portion of the T opening.

6. A combination latch and locking mechanism as set forth in claim 5, in which said locking linger terminates in a forward locking projection having a camming surface and an undercut locking surface adapted to engage a locking surface on said transverse rib.

7. A combination latch and locking mechanism for a container provided with a slidable cover reciprocable in grooves in the sides of the container, comprising a transverse inwardly extending rib adjacent each end of the slidable cover, each rib having at least one gate therein, and at least one movable slidable button in the container having a depending locking nger engageable with said transverse rib, said gates at the opposite ends of the cover providing diierent locking combinations, and an actuating projection on said slide button, the container having an elongated opening through which said actuating projection is exposed for manual actuation.

8. A combination latch and locking mechanism for a container provided with a slidable cover reciprocable in grooves in the sides of the container, comprising a transverser ib adjacent one end of the slidable cover having a pair of spaced gates therein, and a pair of movable slide buttons in the container cooperating with said transverse rib, each slide button having a depending locking nger engageable with said transverse rib and cooperating with a gate, each button having at least three combination positions, and an actuating projection on each slide button, the container having an elongated opening for each slide button through which the actuating projection is exposed for manual actuation.

9. A combination latch and locking mechanism as set forth in claim 8, in which said transverse rib has at least one recess adjacent each gate forming dummy gates.

References Cited GEORGE F. MAULTZ, Primary Examiner E. J. McCARTHY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 70-63 

